After receiving Tierra's approval, Honason Hadley immediately contacted the other vehicles in the convoy via radio and adjusted the convoy's route through the navigation system, heading toward George Crater.
Their convoy traveled through the yellow sands, tires leaving shallow tracks across the desert. The surroundings were silent, broken only by the faint howl of wind sweeping over the desert and the rumble of the passing vehicles.
As they drew closer to George Crater, a thin layer of dust gradually drifted through the sky, blocking the scorching sunlight and making the entire world seem dim and lifeless.
Tierra sat in the back seat of the jeep, his eyes half-open and half-closed, as though he were dozing.
But Honason Hadley, seated beside Tierra, looked entirely different. He was exceedingly excited, rapidly discussing something with the geologists and climatologists in the other vehicles, though he kept his voice as low as possible for fear of disturbing their wealthy patron.
The convoy continued toward George Crater.
The desert sands rose beneath the convoy's wheels, forming a golden wave of dust. From afar, it looked like a flowing golden river.
Though Tierra had his eyes closed, he did not seem to be truly asleep. A faint smile lingered on his face—
If Harry, Hermione, or anyone else familiar with Tierra had been there, they would certainly have recognized it as the wicked smile Tierra wore before preparing to do something bad.
But at that moment, Honason Hadley was completely overwhelmed by excitement and exhilaration. Nervously, he kept adjusting the vehicles' speed and direction, ensuring that the convoy could reach its destination safely.
The convoy gradually approached George Crater, and the desert landscape grew increasingly desolate and mysterious.
Dust as dense as a thin veil floated through the air, blocking the scorching sunlight and shrouding everything